After trekking the entire Camino de Santiago in 2013 (SJPDP to Finisterre), the Mapless Pilgrim returns to quasi-document 17 days trekking the final 300-miles...while continuing to embrace the maplessness of life.

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Part Deux

Hello dear friends and welcome to The Mapless Pilgrim 2.0!

This blog is a limited time engagement, just like an excellent pop-up restaurant but without the calories.

The Mapless Pilgrim was created when I first trekked the Camino in 2013. I wanted to do so as a purist: the whole 600 miles, on my own, and without communicating with the outside world. This was "not agreeable" to my family and so as a peace offering I agreed to blog periodically in order to provide proof of life and still be left uninterrupted. There is now an archive of those posts should they interest you.

It has been nearly 3 years since my first Camino and like a Siren with her song, I am again being called back to the dusty trail.

This trek will be shorter than the last. Just 21 days away from home, versus 40; and 17 days on the Camino versus 33.

My life is much different than it was during my first time as a peregrina (that's a female pilgrim for those keeping score at home). For starters, I am a newlywed and thus I long to stay connected to the outside world this time around.

To the extent my cell and wifi service will allow, I invite you to join me on the Camino. See this historic pilgrimage route and the people I encounter through my eyes.

Lastly, I offer the same disclosure as I did before:

I am not a blogger or a writer. I can't promise that you'll want to read what I find the energy to write. And I sure as hell can't guarantee that my musings from an iPhone will be an accurate reflection in terms of grammar or punctuation, of the diplomas I have to my name. In fact, I can tell you now with certainty that they will not be.

But what I do promise to share with you is the experience and I'd be honored to have you travel with me.

**This post is written in the car on the way to the airport. Traffic is especially bad. I've been in the car for an hour and am not off the island of Manhattan. This is not a good sign. I anticipate my next posting will be from Madrid tomorrow morning, unless I am still sitting in traffic. For those antsy future pilgrims, I have posted a detailed PDF of my packing list on the far right-hand side. Leave questions (or comments) in the comments section and I'll be happy to answer them. TTFN, JR**

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Being a part of the Linos Last Hurrah Pilgrimage was a true highlight for me and significant part of a transition period in my personal and faith life. I am looking forward to following along with you on the Camino. God's Blessings for safe travels and a fruitful journey.

Best of everything to you, Jill! I am a teacher enjoying summer break... which also allows me to enjoy being a daily communicant. Every day on the way out of mass (every Sunday other times of the year), I stop and pray for you and Lino at the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe (I asked him once where he was most aware of God's presence and that was his answer) . So, no worries; heaven has your back! Can't wait to read your posts and cannot wait to do the Camino someday myself !